Inclusive Education Academy: Changing Perspectives on Disability

March 27, 2017

Since April 2012, the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan has been running a D&I programme designed to promote greater understanding of, and develop support mechanisms for, the growth of diverse groups in the workplace in Japan, including:

Women

People with Disabilities

LGBTQ community

Generation Y/Millennials

We believe diversity to be vital for the future growth and sustainability of the Japanese and global economy. In the run-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, the BCCJ supports the British Paralympic Association and organisations in Japan to collectively harness the positive momentum of the Paralympic Games and the success of the athletes to change societal attitudes to disability.

On 26 October 26 2016, The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center in cooperation with NEC Corporation, announced the launch of their inclusive communication programme, the 'Asuchalle Academy', an educational initiative for students and adults whereby instructors with impairments deliver lectures to help people understand more about people with disabilities and to help transform current perceptions of disability in Japan.

The four pillars of the programme are:

- Other people's challenges are your challenges. Put yourself in another's position and consider other people's problems your own.

- What is disability? It is not an individual affliction, but a concept defined by society. Thinking can change by embracing diversity.

- Believe in the power of dreams and learn directly from the experiences of para-athletes the importance of realising your goals.

This educational initiative introduces sporting values of determination, inspiration, courage and equality to young people.

The Asuchalle team works together with school children in Japan to introduce to them the diversity of parasports and the talent and determination of the athletes who practise them. Through hands-on experience of parasports such as wheelchair basketball and goalball for the visually impaired, children not only gain insights into a new world of thrilling sports, but their attitudes towards disability are transformed and they develop completely new perspectives about society and human potential.

More information about the Asuchalle School Programme can be found in Japanese HERE